Walpole names Brands of Tomorrow for 2019
Walpole, the industry body for the British luxury sector, has named 12
emerging brands as part of its Brands of Tomorrow initiative, including
luxury sleepwear brand Desmond and Dempsey and British womenswear designer
Anna Mason.
Of the twelve brands selected to join the year-long programme of
workshops and mentoring to help develop their business skills to drive
growth, ten are from the fashion, footwear and accessories sectors.
Alongside luxury pyjama brand Desmond and Dempsey and womenswear label
Anna Mason that is sold on Net-a-Porter, in this year’s selection are:
cashmere knitwear brand Wyse London, founded by Marielle Wyse; bespoke
lingerie specialist Luna Mae London; and footwear brand Jennifer Chamandi,
which are crafted in Italy.
They are joined by: silk scarf label Sabina Savage; men’s sock brand
London Sock Company; leather travel accessories company Stow favoured by
the Duchess of Sussex; Farer, which offers British designed, Swiss made
watches; and shoe and handbag restoration service The Restory.
In addition, Walpole also included gin brand Conker Spirit and Savernake
Knives, which designs chef’s knives.
Walpole names Wyse London and Desmond and Dempsey among Brands of
Tomorrow 2019
Now in its 12th year, Brands of Tomorrow is Walpole’s flagship
development programme that offers participants mentoring from some of the
UK’s most experienced luxury executives, editors and founders who provide a
year of one-to-one coaching and sharing their knowledge and expertise with
the chosen brands.
The aim of the initiative is to support “the success and dynamic growth
of the luxury industry through transference of skills, experience and
know-how to ensure continued creative development”.
Commenting on this year’s brands, Helen Brocklebank, Walpole chief
executive said in a statement: “It’s so exciting to see a diverse range of
British luxury entrepreneurs entering the market from sleepwear, travel
accessories, bespoke lingerie to handmade knives, gin and luxury shoe and
handbag repair. We have taken almost 100 businesses through Brands of
Tomorrow, brands now synonymous with the very best in British luxury
including Orlebar Brown, Bremont, Emilia Wickstead, Flowerbx, Astley Clarke
and Charlotte Olympia.
“Through development programmes like Brands of Tomorrow, we enable
Walpole and its members to play a vital role in supporting the next
generation of talent and also secure the future of the sector by giving
brands the help they need to reach the next stage of growth.”
This year’s mentors include Alexandra Shulman, Bec Astley Clarke,
founder of Astley Clark, Ewan Venters, chief executive of Fortnum and
Mason, Michael Ward, managing director at Harrods, and Toby Bateman,
managing director at Mr Porter. The programme’s chairman is Jonathan
Heilbron.
Former Brands of Tomorrow winners include bespoke tailor Kathryn
Sargent, premium men’s sportswear brand Castore, London Fashion Week
designer Emilia Wickstead, men’s underwear and loungewear brand Hamilton
and Hare, and British accessories and footwear brand, Charlotte Olympia.
Images: courtesy of Walpole